Addressing a public meeting here ahead of second phase of assembly election on November 19, Modi launched a shrill attack against Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi on their claim that the Centre was giving funds to the state but it was not able to use them properly. He asked if these funds to Chhattisgarh are coming from Rahul's "maternal uncle"- a dig at Sonia's Italian origin.

"There are going to lose power in 2014.... BJP and NDA are going to form the government in Delhi. Hence they are trying to ban all opinion polls.... These scared, frightened people are in fear of losing power. They are talking non-sense and resorting to desperate tactics," Modi said.

Targeting Sonia Gandhi, Modi said before leveling charges that the state is still poor and suffering from malgovernance under BJP rule, she should do "some homework and then come here".

"All Congress leaders- Prime Minister, Finance Minister have praised the Chhattisgarh government. Your government has given several awards and felicitated Chhattisgarh so many times. The state has progressed under Raman Singh," Modi said.

The BJP leader said Congress should first implement the election promises it is making here like free rice and 24-hour electricity in states where it is in power.

67 percent polling in first phase

Second phase polling on November 19

Modi slams Congress for demanding ban on opinion polls

Counting of votest on December 8

He also sought to know why Congress is scared of disclosing the name of its chief ministerial candidate. "If a sting is conducted of Congress leaders, they take the name of Ajit Jogi as their CM candidate. Why is it that you fear losing polls if his name is declared? What are the sins that are preventing you from declaring his name?" he said.

Alleging that Congress claims of giving massive funds to Chhattisgarh under various schemes is an insult to its people, Modi said, "Sonia madam and shehzade (Rahul) had come here…said so much foodgrains and funds were given. Are you people standing here with a begging bowl.... What kind of language is the Congress speaking.”

Asserting that the people have a right to central funds, he said, "I want to ask Shehzada, did he get the money from his maternal uncle's house. This is the people's money."

Modi sought to know ‘why the Congress is trying to come to power through the backdoor’.

Expressing his condolences over the death of security personnel and polling staff in Maoist attack in the first phase of polls in Chhattisgarh, Modi said the Election Commission should put the names of such martyrs on its website. It should also felicitate them on January 25 which is celebrated as Voters' Day.